Public Insurance Adjusters

What is a Public Adjuster & do I need one?

Public Adjusters are employed exclusively by a policyholder to advocate for them only and have absolutely no affiliation with insurance companies. A typical insurance policy contains hundreds of provisions and stipulations, constantly changing forms and endorsements. Public Adjusters know the insurance business and are familiar with all the procedures so they can work quickly to expedite payments. The exceptionally grievous period following a catastrophe is a difficult time for homeowners and businesses. Hiring a Public Adjuster can relieve mountains of stress and let you get back to your lives.

Public Adjusters are experts on property loss estimating and are retained by policy holders to assist in documenting, negotiating and settling insurance claims. Public Adjusters can handle every detail of a claim, working closely with the insured to provide the most equitable and prompt settlement possible. Clients of Public Adjusters often see their settlements increased by 100% or more over their insurance company's original offer. This is because public adjusters are paid a percentage of the settlement and so it is also in their best interest to scrutinize each claim for any and all damages that can be included.

Duties of a Public Adjuster

1. A Public Adjuster inspects the damaged areas with scrutiny noting any and all damage that could possibly be included in the claim.

2. A Public Adjusters staff may sift through the debris of damaged personal property, painstakingly documenting and inventorying each and every damaged item to ensure every penny is accounted for.

3. A Public Adjuster documents the damage to the structure and personal property with hundreds and sometimes thousands of digital photos.

4. A Public Adjuster diagrams the affected areas to ensure accurate damage estimation.

5. A Public Adjuster reviews the insured's insurance policy to be sure the insurance company is affording every possible coverage to their client.

6. A Public Adjuster reviews the insurance company's estimate of damage. Errors in the extent of the damage or pricing for the damaged items is noted.

7. A Public Adjuster reviews, understands and responds to what can seemingly be an overwhelming amount of confusing paperwork sent to you by your insurance company.

8. A Public Adjuster formulates a complete estimate of damages and compiles a package with all relevant photos and other claim documentation. The Claim Pack is then delivered to the insurance carrier for their review.

9. A Public Adjuster meets the insurance companies claims adjuster or supervisor on site at the claim to point out and negotiate any differences.

10. A Public Adjuster can work directly with an attorney hired by an insured to litigate any differences not able to be settled by the Public Adjuster. The Public Adjuster can supply the attorney with the vast majority of what they will require to begin their work, thereby relieving the insured of another seemingly overwhelming task.

The truth is that if you have a property damage claim you could probably benefit greatly by hiring a Public Adjuster. Unfortunately, this is somewhat of a specialized field and these professionals are somewhat limited in number. Therefore their services can be difficult to retain, especially after a large catastrophe. In the case of a Hurricane, it is usually best to contact a Public Adjuster once your sure the storms path will affect your property. This will allow you to be near the top of the Public Adjusters list in case your property is damaged.